Dimpling machine



y 8, 1.945. T. H. SPELLER 2,375,707

DIMPLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l I/AJ 33 ATTORNEYS May 8, 1945. v T. H. SPELLER I 23 7 DIMPLING MACHINE Filed 001:. z, 1942' l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2. 7

ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, 1945 UNITED STATES .ATENT OFFICE l DIMPLING MACHINE Thomas H. speller, Williamsville,.N. Y. Application October 3, 1942, Serial No. 460,697 a 27 Claims. ,(oi'; 153-21) It is well known to those skilled in the art that where workpieces are to be acted upon by a tool which must be accurately located at a definite position on the workpiece, it is difficult to quickly and accurately bring about such registration. Where the workpiece acted upon is to be countersunk, and when such workpiece is too thin to be countersunk by reaming, adimpling process is employed. Under present day practice such sheets are first perforated and then brought into registration with an upstanding, stationary pilot carried by the lower dimp-ling die of the machine, whereupon the upper dimpling die is then brought down to complete the dimpling action. Such practice, however, is slow, particularly when a great number of holesare to be countersunk, due to the fact that the workpiece obscures the lower die and the pilot and, lconsequently considerable movement of the workpiece is required to..flnd .theselected hole. -Moreover, the .work piece must be lifted. off thepilot each time a new hole isto be acted upon. r i

"The principal object of my invention has been to overcome the disadvantages above pointedout and to place the pilot on the uppermovable die where it will be visible to the operator and where it can, therefore, be quickly and accurately brought into registration withthe selected hole.

the extensible means, whereby the ram will be actuated on its power stroke-only after. the movable die has beenaccurately registered with the hole. l l i Moreover, my device is so designed that when the ram of the machine is retracted, the extensible member will be momentarily lifted from the workpiece, whereby the latter may be shifted and another hole registered with the movable die prior to another power stroke of the ram.

Furthermore, my invention contemplates the use of a pilot carried by the movable die and so proportioned in respect to the operating means that the workman may have ample opportunity.

to register the selected holewith the movable die before the ram is operated. a

position until the ram has returned substantially to its retracted position. l

- Furthermore, it hasbeen an object to provide a sleeve slidably carried by the ram of the machine and so mounted as to permit movement thereof independently of: the ram.

Another object has been to, provide a sleeve which shall be momentarily retracted by means of vacuum created betweenit and the ram on the return stroke. Furthermore, my device is provided with stripping means for releasing the sleeve at the upper end of the return stroke of the ram.

.The above objects and advantages have been accomplished by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, ofwhich: l l

Fig. -1 -i s:a side elevational view of a dimpling machine provided with myinvention. Fig. 2 is anenlargedi-fragmentary view, partly in section, showing my invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of, aworkpiece showing a selected hole which has been dimpled. h

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View showing theelec-Q trio circuitof a dimpling toolemploying my invention. l l l I Fig. 5, is an enlarged sectional view showing the modified form of invention. M l

Figs. 6 and 7 show other modifications of my invention. i

My invention may beused on any commercial form of dimpling or riveting machine, one form beingshown' in the accompanying drawings. for illustrative purposes. The machine shown in Fig. 1 is provided with the usual base In having an upstanding pedestal II which carries the frame 12 of the machine. This frame isprovided with the usual upper. and lower arms I3 and M, respectively, between which is formed the throat I51 ,of the machine.

arm I 3 is the power unit I 6 of the machine, which Moreover, my invention i s provided with means for retaining the ram operating meansinactivefifi;

as shown in this patent. The supply of air to the power unit is controlled by means of a solenoid operated valve 20, which is controlledin, a

manner hereinafter set forthQand which is supplied with air under pressure through conduit. 2 I. An airline oiler I! is preferably placed in the airline, between the solenoid 2|) and thepower unit 6 w reby t e vinspar s .Q t weru t Carried by the upper will receive proper lubrication. Since the power unit, as well as the solenoid valve and oiler are standard articles of manufacture, they will not be further described in detail.

The reciprocating ram 22 of the power unit It is located opposite the stationary die 23 of my invention. The stationary die is carried by the lower arm 14 through the medium of a floating adapter 24 which is carried by an adjustable ram 25. This adapter is for the purpose of bringing about initial axial alignment of the dies and is of the type well known in the art.

The ram 22 is provided with a cylindrical. downward extension 26, and a sleeve 30 having a substantially closed end wall is slidable thereon. The sleeve is provided in its. lower end with an aperture 21 within which is mounted the reduced portion 3! of the movable die or punch 32. The punch 32 is provided with an. axially arranged pilot 33 which will contact with and rest uponthe surface of the. workpiece in. the: absence of registration of the punch with a. selected hole. When so registered. the pilot; and punch will: be free to enter the selected. hole. The sleeve will be prevented from becoming; disengaged with the ram extension 26' by the. en;- gagement of the pilot 33. with the workpiece or the punch 32 with the-die: 23;.

The engaging: surfaces of the ram extension 26 and of the cup-shaped sleeve 30. are: so fitted that a vacuum will be created between them within the sleeve upon axial separating: movementthereof, whereby, after beingfu-lly engagedwith the extension, the sleeve will be elevated during the upward movement" of the ram bysucla vacuum and will be permitted to: descend slowly due to gravity after the rain has come to rest at a speed depending upon the fit between these parts. So asto regulate the. rate of descent, the sleeve may be provided with aregulated opening 34 of the form of invention of Fig. 6-, which opening isformed preferably in a replaceable plug 35 so that the size of the opening may be changed at will by the replacement of the plug with one having a differently sized opening; In the preferable form of my invention, however, as shown in Fig. 2, I provide the extension 26 of the ram with a longitudinal passageway 36 extending" from the lower end of the mm to and communicating with a lateral passageway 40- which extends to the periphery of this part of the ram. The parts are preferably so designed that when the ram is in full engagement with the sleeve, the lateral passageway 40 will be covered thereby, and thus the sleeve'will be elevated' by the ram due to the vacuum formed between it and the lower end of the ram. the ram reaches the upper'end of its retracted stroke, the sleeve is initially moved. with respect to the ram which movement serves to uncover the" lateral' passageway 41] and thereby allow airto slowly enter the sleeve to relieve the vacuum and allow the sleeve to descend by gravity independently of the ram- In order to produce this initial relative movement between a sleeve and the ram, I provide a. stripper M which has an arm" 42 for securement to the power unit of the machine, and which also has a sleeve 4'3 which carries a screw 44. The screw 44 is adjustably mounted within the sleeve 43 and a lock nut 451's provided for setting'it in its adjusted position; The lower end 46 of thescrew is so adjusted as tointerrupt the" upward movement of the sleeve beforetheram reaches the upper limit of its travel", thereby causing relative movementibetween'theasleeveand the ram, thus uncovering the lateral passageway 40.

My invention contemplates the use of means for automatically causing the ram to descend on its power stroke after the pilot has been brought into registration and has entered the selected hole of the workpiece. To this end the extensible member or sleeve 30 of my invention is preferably provided with a tapered exterior periphery 50 extending upwardly fromv the lower end thereof. so that the larger diameter is at the top of the sleeve. An electric switch 5|, preferably of the precision type, having an actuating roller 52 is arranged alongside the sleeve and is: carried by means of an adjustable bracket 53. Adjustment of the switch is such that when the pilot has entered the selected hole, the sleeve will have: actuated the switch roller 52 to close the switch and thereby cause the operation of the ram on its power stroke. Instead of the taper'shown in Figs. 1,. 5 and 6, it is: obviousthat the sleeve' may have a cylindrical. exterior and he provided with an extension 54 for engagement with the roller 52, as illustrated in. Fig. '7.

The switch 5|: is connected. to a switchbox 56- carried on. the side of the machine: by means of suitable conductors inclosed with a conduit? 55, suitable conductors being inclosed within a. conduit 60 for conducting current from the switchbox; to the coil 6t (Fig. 4) of the solenoid valve 30; The switch box. receivesits-power from the supply line. over suitable conductors inclosed within a conduit. 62 and controlled. by-meansof a. switch- 63'. A plug receptacle 64 is provided on the. switch box 56 for the reception of the plug 65' provided at. the. ends of suitable control con.-

ductors inclosed within a. conduit 6-5. The con ductors of this conduit areconnectedi to the usual foot switch 10 andv have connected therein avsnap switch H which may be closed when it is desired to operate the machine continuously. I

Reference is to be had to- Fig. 4' where I' show the electric circuits diagrammatically; As here shown the switch 63 i'sclosed and current is being conducted to the switch box 56'. When the foot switch 10- or the switch 11 is now closed current will flow to one side of the solenoid 61 and to one side of the switch 5!. Under these condi-= tions when the sleeve 30 has descended and the pilot is in registration with a selected hole, switch 5|" will be closed and current will then flowthrough the coil 6| of the solenoid valve 20, thereby operating the solenoid valve-20 shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4 and allowing air toflow to the power unit It of the machine and causing the ram to move downwardly. Such downward movement will cause the extension 26 of the ram to move downwardly within the sleeve 30 until'it reaches the bottom of. the bore thereof I and the lateral port 40 has been covered. Further movement of thev ram. will cause the sleeve with its movable die to be forced downwardly under pressure to dimple the workpiece. When. theram is now returned to its retracted position, as hereinbefore described, the sleeve will bemoved with the ram owing to the vacuum created within the. sleeve by the initial tendency toward separating movement of the parts; In

the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2,. the stripper screw 44, at a predetermined point in the upward travel of the ram, will contact the sleeve and cause initial movement between it and the ram whereby the lateral port 40 will be uncovered and air will be allowed to enter between theram and sleeve to' vent the vacuum, thus upturned end allowing. the sleeve to descend by gravity for registration of the pilot with another selected hole. it The power units l6 supplied on somedimpling and riveting tools cause the ram to descend and to be immediatelyreturned when the operating circuit is closed through the control switch 5|, even though the switch is opened during the return movement. However, on. other types of machines, the power units are so designed that the solenoid valve will be deenergized and cut off the incoming air if the circuit is interrupted through the opening of this switch. In order-t accommodate my invention to'this latter type'of machine, I provide contact maintaining means in the form of a knife 12 which is carried by. the ram 22 of the machine. This knife is preferably provided with a downwardly extended. blade [3 which engages the roller 52 of the switch 5| on the downward stroke of the ram and holds it closed during substantially the full returnstroke thereofand while the sleeve is being carried upwardly by the ram. Thisknife is prevented from rotating upon the ram preferably by having an M which engages the flat side'of the ram. i r

While I have shown and described the use of vaccum in Figs. 2 and 6 to bring aboutthe elevation of the sleeve and movable die when the ram is retracted, it is obvious that other means may be employed for momentarily coupling the sleeve and ram extension 26. One of such modified means is shown in Fig. 5 where the ram extenwith the bore. the friction will be sufficient to' cause the sleeve to be elevated. The sleeve will be disengaged or stripped from this friction ro ducing means by the stripper screw-M when the ram has reached its uppermost position, as here inbeforedescribed in connection with the form of Fig. 2.

In the form of Fig. 7, the sleeve 76 is provided with spring-pressed latch means 80 which engage a notch 8| formed in the ram extens'on 2B, which latch is disengaged from the notch by means of the stripper screw 44 when the extension has reached the end of its uppermost travelj In this form of invention it is preferable to provide a key 82 which is carriedby the extension 26 and engages a keyway 83 formed in the sleeve, wherebythe sleeve is prevented from relative rotation with respect to the extension.

Having described my invention what I claim 1. Means for registering the punch. and die of a dimpling mach ne with the selected hole of a workpiece. COl'llDIiSil'lg punch-supporting means adapted for being actuated. by the ram of the machine, means formounting said supportin '2. Means for registering the punch and die of a dimpling machine with the selected hole of a workpiece, comprising punch-supporting means adapted for being actuated by the ram of the machine, means for. mounting said supporting means for independent movement rela tive to the. ram toward the workpiece for per- .mitting the registration of the punch with the hole of the workpiece before theram is operated,

temporary coupling means connecting said supporting means and the ram for momentarily raising the former away-from the workpiece when i the latter is operated. on its return stroke, and

means for rendering said coupling means inoperative as the ram approaches the end of its adapted to be operated by the ram of the machine and carrying the punch thereof, said sleeve being movable independently of 1 the ram, vacuum means for temporarily raising said sleeve toretract the punch, and means for venting the vacuum to allow the punch to descend independent of the ram movement and be registered with another hole of the workpiece. i

4. Means for registering the punchand die of. a dimpling machine with the selected hole of a. workpiece, comprising punch-supporting means adapted for being actuated by the ram of the machine, means for mounting sa d supporting means for independent movement relative to the ram toward the workpiece for permitting the'registration of the punchwith the hole of the workpiece before the ram is operated.

and ram operating means associated with said 1 supporting means and controlled thereby when means whereby it is movable toward the work the last mentioned means has moved toward the workpiece'apredetermined distance.

5. Means for registering the punch and die of a dimpling machine with the selected hole of an interposed workpiece, comprising punch-supporting means adapted for beingactuated by the ram of the machine, means for mounting said supporting means whereby it is movable toward the workpiece independently of the-ram for permitting the registration of the punch with the hole of the workp ece before the ram is operated, ram operating means associated with said supporting means and controlled thereby when thelast mentioned means has moved a predetermined distance toward the workpiece to actuate the ram operating means, and a pilot portion extending downwardly from the punch to contact the workpiece in the absence of registra t on of said punch with the hole tohold' the supporting means against such predetermined movement toward the workpiece, thereby preventing the actuation of the ram operating means. l

6. Means for registering the punch and die of a dimpling machine with the selected hole of an interposed workpiece, comprising punch-supporting means adapted for being actuated bythe ram of the machine, means for mounting said supporting means whereby it is movable toward the workpiece independently of the ram for persupporting means and controlled thereby when the last mentioned means has moved up predeter mined distance toward the workpiece to "actu ate the ram operating means,and a pilot portion carried; by said punchv for initial. entrances. into a selected hole of the workpiece in; advance of the punch. to enable: the supporting means mov ing such predetermined: distance to. thereby effeet the actuation of the ram operating means.

7.. Means for registering the punch: and dieor a dimpling machine with the selected hole of a. workpiece, comprising punch-supporting. means carried. by the ram of the( machine and. movable independently thereof, means for operatingrthe ram, and'lmeans: connectingsaid. ramoperating: means with said: supporting means and operable by movement of the latter for actuating said" operating means: only after said supporting means has moved toward the workpiece a pre1- determined distance.

8. Means for registering the punch and die of a dimpling machine with selected. holes formed: a workpiece, comprising punch-supporting means carried by the ram of the machine and movable independently thereof, means for operating the ram, means: connecting said ram operating means with said. supporting means and operable by" movement of the latter for actuati-ng said: operating means, and pilot means associ'atec'l' with said punch for contact with the work'- piece in the absence of registration of the workpieces with the-pilot to hold the supporting means against" further" movement toward the workpiece.

thereby preventing the actuation of: said' operating means.

9; Means for" registering the punch and die of a dirnpling machine with the selected; .hole' of. a work-piece;.-comprisinga sleeve slidably mounted upon. the ram of the machine for independent movement therewith and carrying the punch thereof, means associated with; the ram 'to temporarily move: the: sleeve with the ram on its" re.- turn stroke,. andv ram operating means associated with said sleeve and controlled by a. predetermined-movement thereof. relative to the'ram.

10. Means for: registering the punch and die of adimpling machine: with the selected hole of a workpiece, comprising a weighted sleeve mounted upon the reciprocating ram of the machine and carrying the punch'thereof, said sleeve be.- ing. movable independently of the ram, vacuum means associated with the. ram for temporarily moving said sleeve with said ram on the return stroke of. the latter, said ram and sleeve being formed with a vacuum relief opening 50 located as to be closed by: said sleeve when in its operating position.

-11-. Means for registering the punchand die. of a dimpling machine with the selected hole of the workpiece, comprising a weighted sleeve mounted. upon the reciprocating ram of the machine and carrying the punch thereof, said sleeve being movable independently of the ram, coupling means engaging said ram and sleeve at the end of. the power stroke of the former for raising the latter with the ram. on the return stroke thereof.

= 12 A dimpling machine for indenting perfo rated "sheet metal, comprising a' cooperating punch anddie shaped to indent the workpiece arounda selected hole therein; means. for operating said punch and diev toward and away from each other, saidpunch being extensibly mounted to permit movement of the. samev toward the workpiece independently of. the operating means, means associated with said. operating means for moving said. punch when said last. mentioned means is. operatedon its. return stroke, andmeans.

connected with said operating means and actuat'ediby the relative movementv of said punch for causing the ram: to) operate on. its: power stroke subsequently to; registration of the workpiece.

.1 3; A dimpling machine for: indenting: perforated sheet: metal,. comprising a. cooperating ating said punch and: die toward andv away"trom each. other, said punch. being extensibly'mounted to permit movement of the same toward the workpiece independently of' the operating. means, and circuit closingv means associated with. said punch for actuating said operating means subsequently toa predetermined movementv of said punch toward the workpiece 1.4. A dimpling machine. for indenting: perforated sheet. metal, comprising a cooperating punch and die shaped toindent. the workpiece around a selected hole therein,. means. for operating said punch and, die toward and. away from each other, said punch being extensibly mounted to permit movement of the samev towardthe workpiece independently of the operating: means, circuit closing means associated with said punch for actuating said operating means subsequently to a predetermined movement of said punch to.- wardthe workpiece, and, means for maintaining said circuitclosing means operative. until saidoperating means has. subsequently completed its return stroke. 1

15. The combination-with a dimplingmachine having a coacting punch and die, and an operating ram, of means for registering: the punch with the selected hole of a workpiece. comprising an extensible member carried by said ram and interposed between. the latter and. the punch, coupling means carried by said ram and said extensible. member for connecting said member and said ram on the return stroke oithe latter, and release means operable at theend' of said re turn stroke for permitting said extensible member to move toward the workpiece independently ofsaid ram.

16. The combination with a dimpling machine having a coacting punch and die, and an operating ram, of means for registering the punch with the selected hole of a workpiece, comprising an extensible member carried by said; ram and interposed between the latter and the punch, coupling means carried by said ram and said extensible member for connecting said member and said ram, said coupling means causin said mem ber to be moved with the ram. during the returnstroke thereof, and means operable to render said coupling means inoperative. for permit ting downward movement of said member independently of said. ram.

17. The combination with a dimpling machine having a coacting punch and die, and anoperating. ram, of means for registering the punch with the selected hole of a workpiece, comprising and extensible member carried by said ram and interposed between the latter and the punch, coupling means carriedby said ram and said extensible member for connecting said member and said ram, said coupling means causing said member to be moved with the ram during the return stroke thereof, and pilot means associated with said punch and. engageable with the workpiece to prevent the actuation of. said operating means in the absence of registration-oi said punch with a hole of the. workpiece. I

18. The combination With a dimpling. machine having a coacting. punch and a. die,.and an operating. ram,foi. means for registeringthe punch, with the selected hole of a workpiece, including a gravity actuated extensible member associated with the ram of the machine, said members carrying the punch and being disposed between the ram and the punch, said extensible member being movable ,toward the workpiece prior toa'nd independently of the ram, and means associated with said ram and operable upon its upward stroke to momentarily raise said gravitymeansh workpiece independently of the ram for permitting the registration of the punchwith the hole of the workpiece before the ram is operated, means for operating the ram, an electric switch cooperating with said supporting member and actuated thereby when the latter is in its extended position, and means associated with said switch to cause the operating means to be actuated. a

20. Means for registering the punch and die of a dimpling machine with the selectedhole of a workpiece, comprising a reciprocating ram, punch-supporting means adapted for being actuated by said ram, means for mounting, said supporting means wherebyit is movable toward the workpiece independently of, the ram forpermitting the registration of the punch with the hole of the workpiece before the ram is operated, means for operating the ram, an electric switch cooperating with said supporting member and actuated thereby when the latter is in its extended position, means associated with said switch to cause the operating means to be actuated, and means for maintaining said switch in its closed position until said ram has been retracted.

21. A dimpling machinefor indenting perforated sheet metal, comprising a pair of cooperating dies shaped to indent the workpiece around a selected hole therein, means for operating said diesrtoward and away from each other, one of i said dies being movable independently of the operating means and relatively to the workpiece to register with a hole therein prior to the actuation of the operating means, and means actuated by the independent movement of said movable die for causing said die to be actuated on its power stroke.

22. A dimpling machine for indenting perforated sheet, metal comprising a cooperating punch and die shaped to indent the workpiece around a selected hole therein, a reciprocating ram for operating said movable die, a supporting member'associated with said ram and carrying .l the movable die, said ram being movable inde-- pendently of said supporting member during a portion of its power stroke, and means associstroke, extensible means associated with said reciprocating means and carrying said tool, whereby said tool may be actuated to a position of regindependently of the reciprocating meansand prior to its operation, and means as- ,sociated with said reciprocating means and said istration extensible means for causing the actuation of said extensible means by said reciprocating means on its return stroke.

24. A device'for registering a tool with a portion of a workpiece, comprising reciprocating means for operating the tool on its working stroke, extensible means associated with said reciprocating means and carrying saidtool, whereby said tool may be actuated to a position of registration independently of the reciprocating means and prior to its operation, means associated with said reciprocating means and said extensible means for causing the actuation of said extensible means by said reciprocating means on its return stroke, and means cooperating with said extensible means on its downward stroke to cause the actuation of said reciprocating means.

25. The combination with a dimpling machine having a coacting punch and die, and an operating ram, of means for registering the punch with the selected hole of a workpiece comprising an extensible member telescopically carried by said ram and interposed between the ram and the punch, means actuated bypressure-difi'erential and operable to couple the extensible member to the ram, and means operable to render the pressure-differential means inoperative to permitthe extensible member being extended 26. A dimpling machine having a punch and a co-operating die for co-acting upon an interposed workpiece, a ram for the punch having apunohoperating stroke, a support for the punch mounted, upon the ram and adapted'to be contacted by the latter for actuating the punch, said support being extensible from and in advance of the ram, a pilot carried by the punch and extensible therewith from the ram to enable placement of the pilot in registration with a hole in the interposed workpiece, and means operable by the relative movement of said support and ram to impart a punch-operating stroke to the ramv whereby to actuate the punch in co-operation with the die and as guided by the pilot to dimple the interposed workpiece.

l 27. The combination with a pair of relatively movable dies and power means for operating them, of an extensible member carrying one of said dies and adapted for being actuated by and movable with said operating means, said member being mounted between the last mentioned die and said operating means, whereby it is adapted to be initially moved toward the workpiece independently of the power operating means for positioning said last mentioned die prior to its power-actuated stroke, and means associated with said operating means to move said first mentioned die with the operating means upon the return stroke thereof.

THOMAS H. sPELLER. 

